Esure Share Discussion Threads

[renew] 07/5/2014 10:02

In the circumstances I thought the results were good. Seems no reason for them not to hold the dividend and if they can do that through the bottom of the cycle then a good solid share for the portfolio.

[jbat] 07/5/2014 09:23

Well, the share price hasn't tanked, so it's not a repeat of last year's ridiculous fall. 220p? Maybe, but at least there's no sign of an immediate bloodbath (touch wood).

[nurdin] 07/5/2014 09:02

I am surprised at the share price strength...I sold yesterday below here in the expectation of a profit warning...doh

[dr biotech] 07/5/2014 08:32

Results seem decent enough to me. Could do with premiums hardening a bit though, I think this may start later this year as more companies realise they are not making enough. It a cyclical industry of sorts.

[opodio] 07/5/2014 07:07

s we indicated at our preliminary results in March, market conditions remained highly competitive during Q1 with further market rate reductions across both Motor and Home.

220p time again folks

[opodio] 07/5/2014 07:06

Not a happy statement imho

[skinny] 07/5/2014 07:05

Highlights


· Total in-force policies increased 9.5% year-on-year and 1.5% in the quarter to 1.962m as at 31 March 2014 (Q1 2013: 1.791m, FY 2013: 1.933m)

· Gross written premiums broadly flat at £123.5m (Q1 2013: £124.2m), with Motor and Home down 0.5% and 1.0% respectively

· Additional services revenues ("ASR")1 down 3.5% to £24.7m (Q1 2013: £25.6m);
ASR, excluding Claims Income1, up 9.5% to £23.1m (Q1 2013: £21.1m)

· Severe weather events at the beginning of Q1 2014 are estimated to have cost the Group up to £3m more than normally expected during the quarter, at the lower end of the guidance given in March

· The Group's financial position remains strong.

[jbat] 02/5/2014 11:45

Nice one Dr Biotech!

[dr biotech] 02/5/2014 11:36

Direct line have their results out today. Losses from the floods were a bit less than expected.

Overall the volume of written premiums was less and they are concentrating on profitability and doing OK in a difficult time etc. Pretty much what I had written above. Bottom line is market liked it and they ticked up.

[dr biotech] 01/5/2014 16:54

I bought some at the IPO and sold after a couple of days. Should have held on a bit longer really but at least I avoided the plunge. Think it will probably be the usual blather - doing OK in tough landscape, margins under pressure but careful selection criteria etc. Last years dividend declaration was a bit of a fudge.

I am always a bit wary of how the average price of insurance is measured. I bet the average premium of the average person hasn't dropped by as much as predicted. the other thing will of course be is there any evidence of whiplash claims coming under control.

What I'd like to see is expansion into other countries, particularly through JVs with a local outfit that has some regional knowledge. Obviously I'm not saying thats on the cards, but I think thats what would need to happen longer term.

[jbat] 01/5/2014 09:57

The IMS will be very interesting. Not sure whether to blame management or the market for the fact that the dividend announcement last year scythed 50p off the share price in a single day. I'd ike to avoid any similar loony volatility on Wednesday, even though it's less of a major announcement.

[masurenguy] 01/5/2014 08:38

Q1 IMS due next Wednesday.

[jbat] 30/4/2014 17:53

I hear you, Dr Biotech. It's a bit poor when we can't even manage to hold onto the IPO price, but hey ho. At 220p (as thamestrader alludes to), this share would have a forward yield of around 7.7%, which is absolutely ridiculous, given that it's a nice safe business like car insurance. It'll go where it'll go, but even bad news aside, it makes much more sense closer to 300p than 200p.

[dr biotech] 30/4/2014 17:24

Its funny how when you buy in influences your perception of the stock.

Really you should only hold the shares that you believe are in the best position to deliver. But most will hold on to their losers in the hope to get their money back - its much easier mentally to sell the winner. If most had 10 shares that went up by 50% and others that had halved and you had to keep 5 I wonder how many would retain the losers despite the fact they are duff.

My average on these is about 230 so I have done OK. I am planning on getting a few more over the year so short term weakness is OK for me.

[thamestrader] 30/4/2014 17:23

My renewal came through from Shiela's Wheels today, £23 (about 12%) cheaper than last year, so I won't be shopping around.

Might even put the £23 into my "top-up below 220 fund".

[jbat] 30/4/2014 15:43

Yup, miserable as sin. Good dividend though, but I got in at 279, and I don't want to have to hold them for five years to get my money back!

[dr biotech] 30/4/2014 14:50

Bit of a miserable day here. Not sure why the other insurers are doing OK. May just be some of the people that were locked in trying to sell.

Hopefully the slide in insurance premiums will stop soon. I think these are a decent long term hold. Key thing for me on these is income.

[jbat] 29/4/2014 10:28

300 might be a bit optimistic before the end of 2014, but I'm expecting 280 before the end of summer. The main headwind is the terrible softening in car insurance premiums - until they show some signs of hardening, it's going to be hard to make decent headway.

Then again, Admiral and friends are doing alright, and at 280 the forward yield on ESUR is still over 6%, so who knows!

[gutterhead] 28/4/2014 23:09

Think we will see 300 again soon. This us a great company in a cyclical sector.
In the meantime 6% yield will do

[yam114] 28/4/2014 22:19

Starting to pick up again.

[opodio] 10/4/2014 12:22

unrelenting dump

[jbat] 10/4/2014 12:11

Flesh wound? Lol - the way this is trading, it's going to £1.50 within the month, never to recover.

[opodio] 09/4/2014 16:35

calm down dear its just a flesh wound

[jbat] 09/4/2014 16:33

Ridiculously oversold today - down 10% at one point!

I know that we're XD and that accounts for some of it, but for goodness sake, the market needs some perspective. On a sound business footing, a forward yield of 7%, as others here have said, this is not going to be languishing at these levels for long, unless something fundamental can explain why it should not be valued higher.